Hammel just wants to help to Cubs

MESA, Arizona -- With his experience and contract status, Jason Hammel would seem like a prime candidate for the Cubs to trade to a contender this summer for a pitching prospect.

But Hammel says he wants no part of that.

“I’m sure you guys are going to talk about that all year,” Hammel said Monday after pitching two scoreless innings against the Giants in a B game at Cubs Park. “I honestly can care less. And that’s the answer you’re getting me from me every time. I’m here to win ballgames, and that’s it. That’s my bottom line. I’m here to help the Cubs.’’

Hammel, 31, would like to help the Cubs make a stunning transformation as he did with the Rays (2008), Rockies (2009) and Orioles (2012).

“I like proving people wrong,” Hammel said. “I like that out-of-nowhere type stuff. It’s the way my whole career has been, a lot of naysayers.”

Pitching coach Chris Bosio laughed when it was suggested that Hammel could fit the profile of recent Cubs signees Paul Maholm and Scott Feldman who were traded at midseason for younger players.

“It’s never easy to see any of our guys traded, especially in the position we’ve been in the last couple years, getting competitive, the team is starting to play well,” Bosio said. “But in our division and in our situation, when teams are calling, offering some big prospects, you have to listen.

“Who knows? Maybe things change this year where we extend this guy. I don’t know. But the last couple years we’ve been able to get our starters hot — all of them — (and) we’ve been able to get a hell of a return as well on those guys.”

B game highlights: Hammel worked out of two bases-loaded jams and said he feels better now than at this stage last year with the Orioles when he experienced a dead arm after trying to compensate for a knee injury, putting stress on his arm.

Matt Szczur hit an RBI triple, and Albert Almora and Kris Bryant each had two hits and one RBI.

Replay delay: Neither manager Rick Renteria of the Cubs or Ron Roenicke of the Brewers opted to use instant replay, which was available for Monday’s game.